FAQ's
What does the introductory meeting look like?
Our first hour consists of a meeting in a public place, like a coffee shop, and I simply ask a list of open-ended questions to determine if life coaching would be beneficial. If you are contacting me from a distance, I like to use video chat to get started.
How long should a Life Coaching partnership last?
The length depends on the clients needs and objectives. My goal is that the client can expect success in the attainment of specific targeted goals and objectives in a six month period. For more complex or additional goals, the timetable could last for a longer period.
How will I know if I should see a therapist or a life coach?
Coaching is not psychotherapy. Instead, the life coach helps build together a partnership based on future goals and action. Clients suffering from forms of mental illness or situational distress should seek a licensed therapist and/or psychiatrist. It is not uncommon for a client to transition to a life coaching situation following successful therapy treatments. Will has helped distraught clients, but in the interest of safety reserves the right to refuse coaching services when, in his judgment, the client is in need of psychological or medical intervention. See more about the differences between coaching and therapy HERE.
What kind of people are life coaches?
When I first started researching life coaching, I was under the impression coaching involved lots of incense, meditation, and other spiritual practices. While there are many great spiritual coaches that may incorporate these practices into their session, most life coaches are practical, professional, experienced business people who are focused on tangible results, not mysticism.
Can't a school counselor help me out?
First of all, I have a great deal of respect for the time and effort that school counselors put into their education and careers. I have also found that school counselors can be responsible for the scheduling, testing, and tracking upwards of 300 students per counselor. While they can do a masterful job working with immediate at-risk situations, time does not allow for a more comprehensive one-on-one partnership to develop.
Confidentiality?
This is a key element. The client needs to be able to set goals and speak freely without outside influences or judgments. If you are a parent of a teen client, I am glad to let you know how the process is advancing, but there needs to be a level of confidentiality that I insist on. I do encourage teens to share their progress with family members. The exceptions to confidentiality are if the client is discussing harming themselves, others, or is concerned about be harmed by others.
How much does the first meeting cost?
The introductory meeting costs absolutely nothing. Subsequent meetings are billed at $99 per 60 minute session.
What kind of relationship do you have with clients?
Your coach will be friendly, but they are not your friend. Your coach is your advocate. They want the best from you. They will work with you to help you reach your goals and to succeed. Your coach will hold you accountable and challenge you to grow and do more than you think you can do. They may push, pull, and stretch you in ways that may feel uncomfortable. And unlike a friendship, the coaching relationship is exclusively focused on you and your goals, not the coach, his family, his fantasy football team, or what he did over the weekend.
What happens after the first introductory meeting?
If both parties feel that a life coaching partnership is needed, we can determine a course of action on how often to meet for the first few sessions, then we can adjust from there.
My priorities in our next sessions will be to ask more questions about where you are in your life currently, to determine your D.A.R.N.
D- Desire to Change(want to, like to, need to, wish to)
A- Ability to Change(can you, could you, will you)
R- Reasons to Change(why...If..., then)
N-Need to Change(need to, have to, must)
How do I measure how successful we are?
In addition to an overall better feeling about your life direction and hopefully no longer feeling stuck, we will utilize a model to determine the success of our partnership. This is the G.R.O.W. model with an emphasis on S.M.A.R.T. goals
G- Goals
R-Reality
O- Options
W- Will
What is your process?
The credentialing process of the International Coaching Federation contains core competencies to help clients understand the skills and approaches that I have adopted.
Setting the Foundation
Creating the relationship
Communicating effectively
Facilitating Learning and Results
I will go over these in more detail at our introductory meeting.
What’s the ideal coach session length and frequency?
Each coaching relationship has an inherent rhythm and pace that, ideally, the coach and client honor. An amount of contact that’s enough but not too much. You want to try to get the right amount of coaching for you, not as much coaching as you can.
There aren’t standard, one-size-fits-all answers to any question about coaching, including this one. You decide what’s best for you based on your personality, why you’re working with a coach, your situation, and the time and money you have available. You can’t necessarily figure out the right frequency and length of your life coach sessions in advance. I would like to see a minimum of 6 months, but that all depends on you. There are no contracts that tie you to a certain relationship length.
My per-meeting standard is we meet for 60 minutes bi-weekly. That being said, if you need a laser focused 20-minute session or a 2 hour marathon based on current factors, that's OK too.
If you’re overwhelmed, going through a transition, dealing with a major conflict, you may also appreciate having the frequent support of a coach. In these situations, meeting with a coach weekly may make good sense. I can also be contacted via email or texting.
Are you supposed to do whatever the life coach says?
Inexperienced life coaches tell their clients what to do and are constantly giving advice. Good coaches do not. Most clients realize they don't need another parent, sibling, friend, or co-worker telling them what they should be doing. Instead, coaches help their clients explore and come up with the best choices for them based on where they are and the client's vision for their future. Coaches are experts at the process of changing behavior, which is much more valuable than giving instructions.
What is a holistic approach?
My view is that no two people are alike, and that each learn and grow in their own way. My experiences can provide guidance, but I treat each client as a new and exciting adventure. In a holistic approach the Life Coach is seen less as person of authority who leads, transmits and controls information but rather is seen as a mentor, a facilitator, or an experienced collaborator. We will work toward your goal together. I want you to make the change or reach the goal you desire, but I also want you to learn more about yourself and the world around you along the way. Open and honest communication is expected and differences between people are respected and appreciated. Cooperation is the norm.